Summary, PAC 156 Guest Lecture

Hanuman, by Betsy Schott

Namaste University of Alberta, PAC 156!

Thank you for inviting me to your class on Monday to present a brief "Introduction to the Language and Literature of Yoga".

In addition to this post from 2016 which I mentioned in class, you may like to check out this post from my lecture in 2015 which includes links to both of the chants we sang, a little bit about how yoga became popular in the west, and further explanations of the main paths of yoga.

If you have time, also check out this recording and transcription of Swami Satchidananda at Woodstock!

And to elaborate on the example I gave in class, of how the theory of yoga can enhance your practice, take a look at this new post about Hanuman and the asana that mimics his great leap to Lanka.

In summary, Yoga offers a whole tapestry of methods to enhance physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Aside from the well recognised physical benefits of Hatha Yoga, the Sanskrit language and foundational literature of yoga present numerous threads of insight into how we can live peacefully in a stressful world by developing our strength, flexibility, and resilience.

Songs, stories, myths and legends engage us in the lively timelessness of the oral tradition, and yoga's theory/practice continuum.

I encourage you to stay curious in your yoga practice.  You never know what will resonate with you until you experience it. 

As they say in India, "Sab kuch milega!", "Everything is possible!".

Om Shanti,
Tara

Hanumanasana, Leaping Beyond Limits

Tara Woltjen in Hanumanasana

Some things in life don't come easy.

Hanumanasana is one of them.

Known in English as "the splits" Hanumanasana requires considerable flexibility in the legs and back.

It is a posture that demands your complete physical attention and yet may only become an asana when you bring more to it than mere physical effort.

Hanuman is a popular character in Hindu mythology.  In the epic Ramayana, it is Hanuman the monkey who locates the kidnapped princess Sita and leaps across the ocean between the southern tip of India and the island of Lanka to deliver a message of encouragement and hope along with her husband's ring.

Similarly, on the mat, the posture that mimics Hanuman's giant leap demands patience, persistence, steady breathing, truthfulness and positive intention.

"To start the journey, I needed firm intention." Hanuman said. "To make the leap I needed strength and courage.  To overcome the obstacles along the way, I needed flexibility and cunning.  To find you, I needed perseverance.  To speak with you and win your trust, I needed patience and discrimination.  Through Lord Rama's grace, I found all these qualities within myself, and was able to complete this journey." Quote from "Hanuman's Great Leap"

You can learn more about the mythology behind Hanumanasana here.

If you would like to experience this exhilarating posture for yourself, please check out this blog post first, for some great tips and warm ups.

Sattvic Movie Saturday - Sita Sings the Blues

My second offering for Sattvic Movie Saturday is one of my very very very favorite movies of all time!

Annette Hanshaw

Sita Sings the Blues by Nina Paley features the music of 1920's jazz/blues singer Annette Hanshaw.

Nina Paley's storytelling and animation are each marvels in themselves. 

Together, they are a masterpiece of spectacular beauty and humor; an uplifting and intelligent commentary on life, The Ramayana and the timeless affairs of the heart. 

Perhaps most amazing is Nina's free distribution of this film, insisting that copyrights are actually an impediment to artists.

She cites the case of Annette Hanshaw, whose stardom has faded into relative obscurity thanks to the companies who own the rights to distribute her songs, but feel no obligation to.

I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.  Click here! Ya gotta watch it full screen!!! 

And share it with others - lots of them!  Nina wants you to.

I also highly recommend this presentation at the University of Baltimore by Nina Paley on her work, her inspiration, and copyrights. Click here to watch it full screen on YouTube.

"That's all!"  ;-D

Happiness and the Hanuman Chalisa

Hanuman by Betsy Schott

The crazy winds today have me thinking of Hanuman, Son of the Wind God and Perfection of the "Monkey Mind".

And also of a wise "peace" of advice from my friend Marci: 

She says that when you feel blown around by life, when the mind is as turbulent as the wind, there are two sure ways to get happy: 

1. Hang out with uplifting people. 
2. Listen to the Hanuman Chalisa. 

There are lots of gorgeous versions of the Hanuman Chalisa out there, but this peaceful and mesmerizing tune by Krishna Das is the one stuck in my head today. 

And if you like that, 

here are a few more...

This one is just so cheerful you can't help but feel uplifted...

Another from Krishna Das that's great for chanting along with:

And another from Krishna Das with Roshi Bernie Glassman:

Have fun finding more, and let me know your favorites!

Sri Hanuman Ki - Jai!